…Nwifuru pledges infrastructure projects for Army training depot
By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has warned newly enlisted soldiers against the unauthorised use of social media, stressing that the publication of operational information, images of military activities, sensitive locations or unverified content constitutes a serious breach of military regulations.
He cautioned that violations of the Nigerian Army’s social media policy could attract disciplinary measures, including dismissal from service.
The Army Chief gave the warning on Wednesday during the Passing Out Parade of the pioneer intake of recruits at the Nigerian Army Training Depot, Amasiri-Edda, in Ebonyi State.
He said the passing out parade of 2,989 pioneer recruits marked a significant milestone in the Nigerian Army’s force expansion programme and would strengthen efforts to combat insecurity across the South-East and other parts of the country.
According to him, the evolving security environment, characterised by terrorism, insurgency, banditry, separatist violence, transnational organised crime, cyber threats and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, requires disciplined, well-trained and professional soldiers.
He noted that the establishment of the training depot in the South-East demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to national cohesion, equitable development and strengthening the country’s security architecture.
Describing the event as a landmark achievement, the COAS said the new depot represents another milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army to effectively respond to contemporary security challenges.
He commended the management and instructors of the training depot for successfully training the pioneer recruits despite the facility’s recent establishment.
Addressing the graduating soldiers, Oluyede said they were among the first batch of 14,000 recruits approved under President Bola Tinubu’s strategic force expansion initiative, which is expected to produce a total of 28,000 additional personnel.
He urged them to remain disciplined, loyal and committed to the defence of Nigeria.
“As you pass out today, you must understand that the training you have received is only the foundation for your military career. The defence of Nigeria requires sacrifice, professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty,” he said.
The Army Chief also assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to review and strengthen its training curriculum to meet emerging operational realities.
In his remarks, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State appealed to the Nigerian Army to release part of its 989.7-hectare land at the Abakaliki Military Cantonment to support the planned expansion of the state capital.
He pledged that, in return, the state government would undertake major infrastructure projects at the Nigerian Army Training Depot in Amasiri-Edda.
Nwifuru described the graduation ceremony as a historic milestone for the Nigerian Army, Ebonyi State and the country, noting that the establishment of the depot had strengthened security while boosting economic activities and development in the state.
He announced that the state government would construct an emergency ward, main hospital, administrative block, maternity ward, mortuary, recruit wards, walkways, a generator house, two solar-powered boreholes with 50,000-litre capacity each and a theatre at the training facility.
The governor also commended the Nigerian Army for establishing a Military Referral Hospital in Ebonyi State and appealed for its speedy completion and full equipping to serve the South-East region.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of the training depot and providing the support required for its take-off, describing the project as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national security.
Nwifuru also praised the Chief of Army Staff and the leadership of the Nigerian Army for developing the donated land into a modern military training facility, assuring the Army of the state’s continued support in maintaining a peaceful environment for training and operations.
The passing-out parade was attended by representatives of the governors of Enugu, Imo and Abia states, military officers and other stakeholders from across the South-East.
